In the German media: Putin has three wishes regarding Belarus
The head of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, may soon become the one who will give the president of Russia his real dream. In fact, the very recognition of Crimea as Russian, made by Lukashenko, marked the actual point of no return for Minsk, cementing its position as a protectorate of the Kremlin. This opinion was expressed by journalist Konstantin Eggert, whose thoughts were published by the German DW.
According to the expert, with regard to Belarus, Vladimir Putin has three cherished desires, dreams - he would like to get Lukashenka to recognize Crimea as Russian, so that he would also allow Russian troops to be deployed on the territory of his country, and, finally, for the Russian ruble to become the currency of Belarus.
Obviously, two of the three wishes have almost come true.
- the journalist writes.
As the liberal expert notes, Lukashenko has finally solved the "Crimean issue" for himself. And now the revelations from the head of Belarus followed each other. First, he recognized the disputed peninsula as Russian, then threatened to deploy a nuclear weapons from the Russian Federation, if the United States decides to transfer its warheads to Poland. And, finally, Lukashenka even "boasted" of a zealous attitude to the Soviet legacy when he reported that all the former silos for intercontinental missiles were intact.
Does this mean a complete rejection of the neutral status of Belarus? No doubt, Eggert is sure. So the formal prescription of such a norm in the new Constitution of the country will become just a tribute to fashion.
But words alone are not enough - Lukashenka is going on a "tour" across Crimea, starting from Sevastopol. This will be a show trip. Even the head of the Republic of Belarus himself unambiguously declares that he wants to "recognize Crimea" not in words, but in deeds. For Putin these days it is time to receive dividends from Belarus for all those years of support that Moscow has provided to Minsk. All the dreams of the head of the Kremlin come true, everything that Lukashenko says is a pleasure to listen to in Russia.
This also applies to the tone of the “dictator's” conversations when Ukraine is mentioned.
- emphasizes the expert.
He is convinced that everything that Lukashenka does or says will not find a response among ordinary Belarusians, but Lukashenka no longer has a choice. He has to go for further "vassalization" and deepening of dependence on Moscow. And such sacrifices are only for the sake of maintaining power.
In general, the situation is "ripe", Moscow understands this and will put pressure on the "regime" in Minsk, especially on the third point - the Russian ruble in the economy of a neighboring state
- the journalist predicts.
What can wait for Lukashenka next, what is the punishment for the past multi-vector policy? Eggert answers this question like this:
Putin may ask the Belarusian president to "recognize" and establish diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia
- summed up the journalist.
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